4 min readTech-savvy tourists rejoice! If you want to ditch the map and guide book, take a look at these smartphone must-haves that will make your stay in Bristol as easy as A-P-P.
Banksy Bristol Trail by Cactus Apps
Street Art is one of Bristol’s most famous attractions and hunting it out is a fun way to discover the city’s unique creative culture. This easy-to-follow smartphone App has interactive map guides that help you easily navigate Banksy's artworks dotted around his home city. The App also includes information and photos of pieces that are no longer visible, plus a 25% discount for the bestselling book Home Sweet Home. which celebrates Banksy’s street art in Bristol.
Image - Banksy's Mild Mild West on Stokes Croft
AccessAble
Browse over 75,000 detailed Access Guides that tell you all about a venue’s access and facilities, with comprehensive information and photographs.
Image - WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
LoyalFree
Download this free-to-use app to discover exclusive offers and loyalty schemes available across Bristol Shopping Quarter, as well as useful interactive trails to follow and a selection of exciting events happening in the area.
Go Jauntly
Discover walking guides, tours, nature and city trails across Bristol and the surrounding area, with further options around the UK.
Image - A woodland walk in Bristol - credit Jon Chamberlain
First Bus
Plan your journeys around Bristol from door-to-door using the First Bus App. Features include real-time information about local bus services and a Space Checker which shows you the bus services and times that are typically quietest.
The cheapest and easiest way to buy tickets is through the app too - it's simple and you don't have to worry about having the right change. Choose from a book of single tickets, to day and group tickets, or even snap up a ticket for the Bristol Airport Flyer (£1 cheaper via the app). Plus its greener!
Image - First Bus
Google Maps
This is an obvious one, but Google Maps will help you explore the city with minimal wrong turns. You can also check out customer reviews and popular times for attractions and restaurants before setting off on your journey.
Headfirst
If you’re planning a night on the town, make sure to check out Headfirst for music listings in just about every venue in the city. Browse through live music and club night events and when you’ve decided what will get you dancing, purchase a ticket via the App.
Image - Live music at The Canteen
Google Translate
Bristolians are a friendly bunch, but if language ever becomes a barrier between you and exploring the city, you can always rely on Google Translate to help you out.
Veezu Bristol
Travel around the city in Bristol’s answer to Uber. With V-eezu you can pay by cash or card and track your taxi on the live map, as well as schedule pick ups for a later time or date.
GWR
Plan, book, check your train journey and find the cheapest train tickets with the free GWR mobile app. Well-organised travellers can save up to 50% with an Advance ticket, compared to Off-Peak fares, plus get live information on the go - including platform numbers and current carriage capacity. Download a mobile ticket to your phone and off you go!
Image - GWR
National Express Coach
Make life easy for yourself with the National Express Coach App. Search and book coach travel to (and from) Bristol from hundreds of UK towns, cities and airports. Use the Coach Tracker to view timetables and track your coach in real time. Tickets bought through the app are automatically added to My Bookings and available offline and you can retrieve tickets booked on desktop or tablet to use on your device. You can also let your friends and family know your travel details by easily sharing your booking details via Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Twitter, or over SMS and email.
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